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Springbok scrum-half Cobus Reinach to quit Northampton at end of season
Northampton Saints have confirmed that prolific scrum-half Cobus Reinach will leave the club at the end of the current season.
Reinach, part of South Africa’s Rugby World Cup-winning squad last year, arrived at Northampton from the Sharks Super Rugby franchise in the summer of 2017.
He has scored 29 tries in 70 appearances for Saints to date but has announced his decision to leave the East Midlands and will join Top 14 side Montpellier, which has become something of a haven for Springboks. There, he will reunite with international colleague Handre Pollard and, according to reports, is in line to earn around £500,000 per year.
“I love playing for Saints and living in Northamptonshire,” Reinach said. “We have a fantastic group of coaches and staff, and an exciting squad that I believe can challenge for the major honours, so this has not been an easy decision for me to make.
“I’d like to thank everyone for making the last three seasons so memorable; I’ll be sad to leave some great friends and team-mates.
“Saints will always have a special place in my heart and I look forward to giving everything I’ve got to make sure we finish the season with some silverware.”
With Saints lying second in the Gallagher Premiership and still in with a chance of reaching a Champions Cup quarter-final should they beat Lyon this weekend, Reinach is sure to be a significant figure over the remainder of the campaign.
After saluting the 29 year-old’s influence, Northampton head coach Chris Boyd highlighted the quality of the young group of scrum-halves at his disposal.
“While we’re disappointed to lose a player of Cobus’ quality, we respect that in the final years of his professional career he’s made a decision with the long-term future of his family in mind,” said Boyd.
“Saints supporters love watching him play; he has provided them with plenty of memorable moments here at Franklin’s Gardens.
“I’ve been delighted with the form of Henry Taylor since his arrival at the start of the season, and with the emergence of Connor Tupai from our academy set-up this year – plus getting Alex Mitchell back from injury in the coming weeks will feel like a new signing for us.
“Cobus is putting all his focus and energy into ensuring that Northampton have as much success as possible for the second half of the season, and we will wish him well after that.”